Combined manually and mechanically operated piano.



PATENTED NOV.- 26, 1907.

J. w. DARLEY, JR. I COMBINED MANUALLY AND MEGHANIGALLY OPERATED PIANO.

APPLICATION IZLED NOV. 17, 1905.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

awuentoz fi Qttoxmmgo PATENTED NOV. 26. 1907.

. J. w. DARLEY, JR- COMBINED MANUALLY AND MEOHANIGALLY OPERATED PIANOAPPLICATION FILED NOV.17, 1905 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2v aria-um PATENTED NOV.26, 1907.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE;

JOHN w. DARLEY, JRQ, or BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE WM. KNABE &co.

MANUFACTURING COMPANY OF BALTIMORE CITY, OF

PORATION OF MARYLAND. I

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A 00a counnmn MALNUALLYAnnmwImNICALLYoPERA'rEnPlano;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 26, 1907.

Applieationfilad November 17. 1905- Serial No. 287,826.

To all whom it may concern: 1 v

Be it known that 1, Joan W. DARLEY, Jr,- a citizen of the United States,residing at Baltimore city, State of Maryland, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Combined Manually and Mechanically OperatedPianos; and 1 do hereby'declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to that class of mu sical instruments in which apiano-action and autopneumatic player are combined in one organization,whereby the instrument can be played either manually by fingeringthe-keys or mechanically by operation of the pneumatics upon the partswhich control the hammers of the piano-action.

The invention achieves the following objects: (1) improvement in thegeneral construction and mechanical organization of the instrument; (2)simplification and increased efliciency of construction and operation ofthe organized mechanism for operating the piano-action from the keyswithout affecting the pneumatic strikers or impairing the quality oftouch, or from the pneumatics without causing movement of the keys; (3)increased facilities for adjustment, simplifying the matter ofregulating the piano-action as in ordinary instruments; (4) improvedstructure and arraugen'ient 01" the several mechanisms composing thepiano organization in such manner as to facilitate the initialconstruction, assemblage and adjustment of the instrument, and permitremoval of parts or groups of instrumentalities without dismantling theentire instrument or deranging the respective mechanisms or groups or"111-,

strumentalities; (5) improved arrangement of the tracker-bar pipes insuch manner as to leave the piano-action exposed at the front andconveniently accessible for adjustment and repairs, and (.lisassociatingthese pipes from the keys or key-levers with resultant l'rccdonrot'action and cxemptionfrom accidental cont-act: (6) compact arrangement ofthe pneumatic motor for driving the musicshcct mechanism and improvedmeans lor mounting thesamc in such manner as to allow displacement ofthe motor for access to the strings without disturbing the mcchancross-section through the instrument, showing parts in elevation. Fig. 2is a sectional t'op lan view above the keyboard. Fig; 3 is a ront viewof the interior construction of the instrument, showing the music-rollframe, tracker-bar, pneumatic tubes or tracker-bar pipes, andaction-rails and support ng-brackets therefor, but not showing thepianoaction.

A particular explanation of the illustrated construction is as follows:The pianoforteaction is arranged as usual inthe case 1 and isadapthdtoobe actuated by the'keys 2 or by the strikers 3 of thepneumatics 4 to cause the hammers 5 to impinge upon and recoil from thestrings 6. In the upper front part of the case is the automaticpneumatic-controlling or tote-selective instrumentality or music-sheet,mechanism, mounted in the frame 7 and having thewell-luiowncharacteristics of the tracker-bar S rnd. perforated web or music-"sheet9 adapted to traverse the same for controlling admission of air to theducts of the tracker-bar the nmsic-sheet 9( being rolled upon theremovable music-spool 10 and adapted in operation to wind onto thetake-up roll 11. From the tracker-bar S the pneumatic tubes ortracker-bar pipes 12 and 13, extend down to the wind-chest or cham- 9:her 14, containing the primary or controlling pneumatics (not shown) andthe secondary or operating pneumatic-s 4, which latter, when theinstrument is played mechanically, are actuated by thc controllingpucumatics 10 from the impulses of air admitted by the ms sage of themusic-sheet over the traclmr-bar.

It is understood of course that the wind-chest or vacuum-chamber 14 isin .communication with any suitable wind-inducing apparatus. in such asthe usual bellows operated by the performers feet, which also furnishespower to the motor for running the music-sheet; ali of which is so wellknown that specific representation andfurth'er explanation thereof aredeemed unnecessary.

In view of the joint facilities for manual and mechanical playing, thepiano-action (one complete element of which'is shown in Fig. 1) is as awhole composed of two correlated mechanisms, an u per and a lower one,respectively supporter by the upper and lower actionrails 15 and Z0.

1 The upper mechanism is the conventional piano-action proper, includingthe group of 0 erative parts actuated by the key (or by t e pneumaticstriker) for producing the stroke upon the string and effecting recoilof the hammer. It comprises the hammer '5 and regular associateddevices, supported by the action-rail 15, and actuated as usual by itswippen, rocker orunder-lever 16, which is pivotally-attaclied to thelower side of the i are affected by it.

action-rail and receives its movements (transmitted from the key orpneumatic striker) through the medium of its actuating-rod 17.

The lower mechanism of the action comprises principally the saidactuating-rod 17 of the wippen, corresponding to the abstract inordinary upright ianos. Said actuatingrod 17 is vertically'(. isposedclose behind the rear end of the key or key-lever 2, and ispivotally-connected to i and supported by guide-links or levers 18 and19,,which are themselves pivotally-attached to and supported by thelower action-rail 20; the positions and lineal portions of said links 18and 19 being designed to maintain an approximately vertical up and downmotion of said abstract or wip en-actuating rod 17 while conforming oraciitpting it to the movements of those parts (the key-lever, pneumaticstriker and wippen) which affect or Said actuating-rod 17, whose u perend carries an adjustable. cap or .head 21 bearing againstthe under sideof the wippen, is adapted to be supported both by the key-lever andthepneumatic striker, and

thereby lifted or actuated by either of these agencies. Accordingly, ithas a front projec- .tion 22 supported by anadjust'able capstanscrew 23upstanding at the rear end of the key-lever, while the foot of said rod17 rests upon or above the striker Thus the piano-action may be actuatedeither manually from the keys, or mechanicailyfrom the pneumatics whenbrought into play by the wind-inducing apparatus controlled by travel ofthe music-sheet over the tracker-bar. These two actuatinginstrumentalities are entirely independent of each other, it beingobserved that the actuatingrod 17 of the wippen is supported both by therear end of the key-lever and by the striker, but without ositiveconnection with either,

and also Wit out positive connection with the'wippern When the keyboardor manual is fingered, the operation of the instrument is practicallythe same as in regular pianos, the wippen-actuating rod 17 performingthe function of the common abstract; there being no positive connectionbetween the key' lever and the pneumatic striker nor other dragging orheavy devices connected with the wippen-actuating rod to impede the freeresponse to the key, so that the same ease an quality of touch andbrilliancy of effect may be attained as in standard manuallyoperatedpianos. On the other hand, by

reason of absence of positive connection between the key-lever andwippen-actuating rod, or between the key-lever and the striker, theoperation of the iano-action by the pneumatic strikers is efectedwithout movement or bobbing up and down of the keys, as occurs in manycombined manually and mechanically played instruments to the distractionof the performer.

The upper adjustable head 21 of the abstract or actuating-rod'of thewippen allows regulation, of the operative length of the ac tuating-rodbetween the wippen and the.

nection between the piano-action or its actusting-rod and the pneumaticplaying a paratus is situated at,the rear end of the ey, while allthe'parts are of simple construction and easily ca able of adjustment.

1 For simpli g the matter of regulating the action, further adjustinmeans are provided as follows: Attache to the action brackets 28 is alongitudinal rail 24. A series of-regulating screws 25 (one for each keyor element of the action) is tapped through said rail; just above thefront or free ends of the wippens 16, and the lower ends of said screws,which are shown provided with cushioned caps or feet 26, constituteabutments limiting the upward motions or swing of the respectivewippens. The up er ends of these regulating screws 25 are s own formedwith eyes to receive an adjusting rod or tool. In order to insurecorrect movements in the action, and proper working of the hammer,

move or rise a certain distance at each operation, whether actuated bythe key or by the pneumatic. This desired precision of movement issometimes impaired by im er-v toot-movements of the neumatics or t eirstrikers, usually necessitating dillicult adjustments, which however areavoided byl pneumatic striker is so adjusted as to have a slightlygreater play than necessary, as from one-sixteenth to one-eighth of aninch, thus insuring the lifting of the actuating-rod17 the requireddistance, while the regulating screw 25. prevents it from moving anygreater distance.

The lower action-rail 20 is shown supported by the action-brackets 27,and the upper action-rail 15 by the upper actionbrackets 28. Said lowerbrackets 27 are secured. upon the bed 29 of the keyboard. The upperaction-brackets 28 are supported by bolsters or posts 250 screwed into.and projecting up'from the bed 29 of the keyboard. Said bolsters orposts pass through longitudinal slots 31 in the feet of the lowerbrackets, to permit free adjustment of the latter transverselv of thekeyboard and action-rails, it being understood that such provision foradjustn'ient is practically essential in view of slight possibleinaccuracies in the castings of the metal brackets. The bolsters orposts 30 are surmounted by balls 32 which engage in cups or sockets 33at the lower parts of the brackets 28, thus providing adjustablebearings therefor, the vertical adjustments being obtained by screwingthe holsters up and down in the wood bottom below the keyboard, thelower proper disposition of the upper action-rail is afforded byadjusting the bolsters 30 and the screws .34 at the rear upper parts ofthe upper brackets. in constructing the piano, the lower rail with itsmechanism is first mounted in the instrument, its brackets beingfastened on the bed of the keyboard inhuch position as to locate therods 17 of the -wippens in correct position relative to the keys; andthe upperrail with its mechanism is then llloilHl/(l in place, its upperbrackets being placed upon the. holsters 30 and the screws 34- andbolsters 30 being properly adjustml, to bring the upper mechanism orupper division of the action into proper relution with the keys andcorrelated mechan- Jan. of he lower division.

The music-roll supporting frame 7 in the upper front of the case, holdsthe tracker-bar 8, the take-up roll 11, and the bearing for the spindlesof the removable music-spool 10; Mounted above said frame is thepneumatic motor 40 for operating the music-rolls. Said motor 40 issupported by a cradle 41 whose arms are ivotally-attached at oppositesides'of tlie rame 7 co-axially with the shaft 42 to which rotation istransmitted from the motor-shaft 43 by the sprocket-chain 44;

said shaft 42 being operatively .connected with the music-rolls 10 and11 by the usual mechanisms (not shown) for causl'ng the take-up roll 11to wind the music-sheet as it travels over the tracker-bar, and themusicspool 10 to rewind the sheet after the tune is played, as wellunderstood. Air for operating the motor is'supplied from the bellows orwind-inducing apparatus through the flexible pipe 45 to the crank-shapedpipe 46 which rocks with the cradle and has its lower arm in lineaxially with the axis of the cradle and coupled. to the flexible pipe45. By means of the binding screw 47 engaging a notch therefor in oneside of the cradle the motor is held. in its normal position above themusic frame 7. This location and .arrangem ent is obviously simple andcompact and the motor is located in a more concealed osition instead ofat the side of the music fiame where it usually obstructs the upper partof the sounding-board and strings. When it is desired to have access tothe strings or sounding-board for adjustment, the binding-screw 47 can.be haoscned a ..d the motor can be swung forwardly to the dotted. lineposition indicated in Fig. 1, the front panel of the piano case havingbeen removed for this purpose.

A11 important feature of this invention is the arrangement of the airpipes which connect the tracker-bar with the pneumatic playing apparatusbelow the piano-:wtion. These pipes and tubes are grouped and disposedin such n'ianner as to expose practicall the entire front of thepiano-action, providing ample access for adjustn'ient. repairs, &c., anddisassociating the pipes from the keys, without however incurring theobjection of extend ng the pipes to the sides of the instrument beforecarrying them down to the pneuniatics, with the consequent increase ofmaterials and complications of such an arrangement. The pipes andassociated mechanisms are further arranged in separate and dctachal l,'conncclml groups or divi- I sions, permitting the ready removal ofpails without necessitating dismantling the instrument, interfering withother mechanisms, or derangement of the mrticular mechanism taken out.

fects are attained wili now he described.

The music-frame 7 hol the Hacker-bar 8 is supported upon a. it-lock orboard 4b..

The means by which these cfwhose opposite ends rest upon smaller oblongblocks 49 arranged transversely, Said blocks 49 rest upon the upper endsof hollow or tubular standards or uprights 50, mounted'on the bed 29 ofthe keyboard in the widened spaces occurring between the keyleVers foraccommodation of the intermedi ate action-brackets 27. Said hollowstandards 50, which are narrow and oblong in cross-section, constitutecasings or housings for the pneumatic tubes or tracker-bar pipes.

The whole series of. tracker-bar pipes are divided into righthand andleft-h and groups or divisions, and further they are composed of upperand lower sections, or primary and secondary lengths, the secondarylengths 13 being continuations of the primary lengths .12. The primarvlengths 12 of the pipes, extending from the tracker-bar andcommunicating with the res ective duets therein, are arranged or divi edinto two laterally diverging branches, which are carried in banks behindand to the opposite sides of the frame 7, and they are then turned ordeflected downward to the ends of the block 48 and distributedfan-fashion along the widths thereof; the lower ends of said primarypipe lengths 12 being cemented or otherwlse affixed in ducts or openingsin said block.-

Said ducts in the ends of the block 48 register with those in ,thesubjacent blocks 49. The latter register with the upper ends of thelower groups of tubes or secondary pipe lengths 13, which are arrangedin narrow compact clusters in the casings or hollow standards 50. Theupper ends of said secondary pipe lengths 13 are preferabl secured intop-plates 51'of thestandan s 50', though if desired they may be affixedin the interposed blocks 49. Blocks 48 and blocks 49 are bolted or clamedby the bolts 52 upon'the flanged top-p ates 51 of the hollowstandards, flat packings 525being interposed between the blocks fss 'detachably fastened to the wind-chest 14' The secondary pipe lengths 13pass through the casings or ho low standards 50, in narrow com actclusters as aforesaid, and through the ase or bed 29 below the keyboard,and thence to the longi-- tudinally-disposod block 54, the lower'por-'tions of said pipes being s read out fanfashion or distributedhorizontally along said block 54 to connect the tracker-bar ipes withthe line of pncumatics arrangedongitudinally in the lower part of thecase. The lower ends ofsaid pipes 13 are cemented or otherwise affixedin ducts or openings in said longitudinal block 54, which block is andhas its several ducts communicating with suitable conduits leading tothe. respective controlling pneumatics, operation of which underimpulses of vair admitted through the tracker-bar by the travelingmusic-sheet actuates the' secondary neuniatics 4 whichin turn operatethe stri ers 3 to play the piano mechanically, when the wind-inducingapparatus is worked. understood of course that each duct in thetracker-bar is connected b the means described with its correspondingpneumatic in the lower part of the case. 'It will be observed the loweredge ofthe longitudinal block 54- is above ti 0 top of the pneumaticstrikers 3, so as to allow'the wind-chest to be moved out through thefront. Thus by reference to Fig. 3- it is a parent that practie callythe entire front 0 the piano-action is exposed, when the front panel ofthe piano It is case is removed, so that access for adjusting theinstrument and the like can easily be had.- It is also observable thatthe mechanisms in front of the piano-action are arrangedv in separableelements, the u er one of which comprises the block 48 wit 1 the frame 7and music-sheet mechanism carried thereby and primary pipe lengths 12,while the lower elements comprise the hollow standards' 50' andsecondary pipe lengths13. T he construction described allowsthe upperand lower mechanisms of the piano-action to be assembled in or removedfrom the instrument without interference from the trackerbar pi es,which are entirely disassociated from t 0 action.

As aforesaid, the casings or hollow standards 50 whichjcontain the twogroups of tracker-bar pipes are arranged in the widened spaces occurringbetween the key-leversto accommodate the action-brackets 27. Thekey-lever frame (comprising the medial rail or bar 55 on which thekey-levers are fulcrumed, and the front and rear rest rails 56 and 57),is arranged to be slid back into place or withdrawn, together with theseries of key-levers mounted thereon, without obstruction by reason ofthe casings or 1101- .entire structure and arrangement of the organizedmechanisms of the instrument are such as to facilitate the initialconstruction and assemblage of parts, and permit removal of thedifferent mechanisms without derangement thereof or withoutnecessitating the dismantling of the entire instrument or derangement'of other mechanisms; the

-key-levers and their supporting frame, the I two mechanisms of thep1ano-action proper, the groups of mechanismsv comprising themusic-sheet mechanism and tracker-bar ipes, and the wind-box, all beingcorre- To this end, the rear bar 57 Thus the atedvbut separate anddistinct and'inde- I pendently removable. I

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

' 1. In a combined manually and mechanically operated instrument, thecombination of a piano-action including a wippen, a keylever, a roddriving said wippen butniot connected thereto and having 9. lug orprojection bearing on the key-lever, said rod being supported thereby,and. a mechanical striker arranged for operating on said rod.

2. In a combined manually and mechan ically operated instrument, thecombination of a'piano-action, a key-lever, a mechanical striker, anaction-actuating rod not connected to said action vertically disposedbehind the rear end of the key-lever having a forward projectionsupported thereby and having its foot supported by the striker.

3. In a combined manually and mechanically operated instrument, thecombination of a piano-action, a key-lever, an actionactuating rod notconnect-ed to said action vertically disposed behind the rear end of thekey-lever and having means for direct engagement thereby for liftingsaid rod. when the key is depressed, and a mechanical striker adapted too crate on. the lower end of said rod and to li t the same.

4. In an automatic instrument, the combination of apneumatic motor foroperating music-winding devices, a rocking cradle supporting said motorand allowing the same to swing bodily, an air pipearranged substantiallycoaxial with the axis of said cradle, and a cranked pipe connecting saidmotor and air pipe.

5. In an autopneumatic instrument, the combination of a note-selectivemechanism including its operating shaft, a motor therefor nrovablysupported, an air pipe for said motor and a cradle supporting said motorand. fulcrumed coaxially with said shaft and said air pi 0, both ofwhich are connected with saic motor, whereby the motor can be swung outof operative position without disturbing the operative. relation betweenthe same and the said ndte-sclective mechan ism. j

6. in a combined manually and mechanical'l "operated instrument, thecombination of tie manual keys, piano-action roper, note-selectivemechanism above the eys, a longitudinal series of pneumatics below thekeyboard, there being a rclatively'tvide space between two adjacentkey-levers, and the pipes connecting the note-selective mechanism andpneumatics, said pipes being carried. together from the note-selectivemechanism and arranged in a narrow compact cluster pg'psing through saidwidened space between the key-levers, and. thence being s read ordistributed to the pneumatics be ow the the keyboard.

. 7. In a combined manually and mechancally operated instrument, thecombination of the manual keys and piano action, a

trackerbar above the key-board, and pneumatics below the same, andpneumatic pipes connecting the ducts in the tracker-bar -with thepneumatics, said pipes diverging on the bed' of the keyboard within saidwidened spaces, a note-selective mechanism supported by said standards,and pneumatic pipes extending therefrom through said standards, and aseries of pneumatics below the keyboard'connected with the respectivepipes.

9. In a combined manually and mechanically operated instrument, thecombination of the keyboard and piano-action, there being relativelywidened spaces between adjacent key-levers at suitable lmations,

narrow "hollow standards niounted on the bed of the keyboard in saidwidened spaces. a block mounted upon said standards, a note-selectivemechanism supported by said block, neumatic ipes extending from thenote-so ective mec ianism to the ends of the block and secured therein,and secondary pipe lengths registering therewith and arranged in saidhollow standards and leading below the kc *board, and,pneumaticsconnectedto the lower ends of said pipes.

10. In an autopneumatie instrument, the combination with thepiano-action and pneumatic playii'ig apparatus, of the key-board bed,upright standards mounted thereonv constituting supports for themechanism of of the autopneinnatic instrument, and a key-lever framearranged to rest on the keyboard and adapted to be pushed back orwithdrawn, having recessed or cutaway spaces to accommodate saidstandards, and

a series of key-levers supported on said keylever frame, the key-leversdiverging at opposite sides of the standards.

11. The combination of a piano-action com rising a plurality ofelements, the manual keys therefor, a tracker-bar in front of theaction, and pipes extending therefrom in two opposite or diverginggroups, each group being carried in a narrow compact cluster downthrough the key-board between adjacent key-levers, the spaces betweensuch key-levers being relatively widened, and a series of pneumaticsconnected with the lower ends of said pipes.

-12. The combination of a piano-action,

key-board being located between said trackerbar and neumatics, therebeing a relatively widened space between two adjacent 'keylevers, and agang of pipes passing through the key-board in such widened space andconnecting the tracker-bar and pneumatics.

13. The combination of the key-levers and action, there being relativelywidened spaces therein at intermediate points, action-brackets in saidspaces, a pneumatic-controlling a paratusin front of the action andabove t e key-board, hollow supports therefor located in said spaces infront of said actionbraokets, pneumatics below the key-board, and pipesconnecting said apparatus and pneumaties, said pipes being carriedthrough said hollow supports. 14. The comblnation with the keys andkey-board bottom, of a tracker-bar frame/a tracker-bar carried thereby,chambered supports therefor mounted on said bottom, pipes extending fromthe tracker-bar through said supports and down through said bottom, thekey-levers being deflected apart at opposite-sides of said supports,and'pneumatics' connected with said pipes. 15. The combination of thekey-levers and action, there being relatively widened spaces therein atintermediate points, action-brackets in such spaces, apneumatic-cont-rolling apparatus supported in front of the action,

and pipes extending therefrom in diverging groups which are carrieddownwardly in front of the action and through the keyboard in suchspaces. 16. The combination with the key-board bottom, of a tracker-barframe, chambered supports therefor mounted on said bottom, andtracker-bar pipes extending through said supports, and bottom.

17. The combination with the'key-board bottom, of a tracker-bar frame,chambered supports therefor mounted on said-bottom, a- 4 tracker-barcarried by said frame, primary lengths of tracker-bar pipes extendingtherefrom, and secondary lengths of pipes arranged in said supports andpassing through said bottom, the contiguous ends of said pipelengthsbeing det'achably connected together.

18. The combination of a music-spool supporting-frame and its bottomboard48 upon which said frame is erected, a tracker-bar ,carried by saidframe, primary lengths of tracker-bar pipes extending therefrom andhaving their ends secured in ductsor openings in vsaid board 48, andsecondary pipe lengths, and a block or blocks provided with ducts inwhich the ends of said secondary pipe lengths are secured the said blockor blocks being secured directly to said board 48 with the ducts thereofin registration.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.I

JOHN W. DARLEY, JR. Witnesses:

A. M. PARKINS, Osooon 1'1. DowELL,

